By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and nearly 80 New York college and university presidents are looking to higher education to improve the state's economy. Gillibrand convened a summit of the school leaders with Education Secretary Arnie Duncan in Washington Tuesday.
Gillibrand's agenda calls for the creation of more opportunities by making higher education more accessible and affordable for New Yorkers. She says the goal is to invest in education.
"Fostering opportunity and innovation at our colleges and universities is critical to our economic growth," Gillibrand said. "No other state is poised to lead in the high-tech economy of the future like New York."
Gillibrand says she would also like to see more math and science majors.
Secretary Duncan said he believes New York State submitted a strong application for the second round of federal "Race to the Top" school funding. He said the Legislature's vote to double the number of charter schools in New York was a good move.